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Transfer embargo blow for Barrow AFC - updated with club statement

BARROW AFC have been placed under a transfer embargo because of an outstanding tax bill.

BRIAN KEEN

The football club’s chairman Brian Keen last night moved to ease supporters’ concerns and said the unpaid National Insurance bill would be sorted this morning.

Speaking to the Evening Mail, Mr Keen said: “Yes, there is a transfer embargo, but I didn’t know about it until Saturday night.

“We (the club directors) have all talked and it will be sorted in the morning.

“It’s just this one National Insurance bill to be cleared, which will be done tomorrow. Other than that we are in full control and we are healthier now than we have been over the last 12 years.

“It’s the only real debt we’ve got and we have stretched it by one week because we haven’t had home game revenue due to a lack of home games recently.”

It has been a tough first half of the 2012/13 season for the Bluebirds both on and off the pitch, with the team sat bottom of the Blue Square Bet Premier table and revenue significantly hit by falling home attendances.

It is also understood there have been delays of a few days in the club paying wages to players on occasions this season.

The embargo is the reason Barrow’s deal to sign defender Danny O’Donnell on a free transfer from Stockport County fell through on Friday, with the player having already trained with the AFC squad earlier that day.

Speaking last night, AFC manager Dave Bayliss told the Evening Mail: “The directors have put a lot of time and money into the club and we all want the same thing, to do well.

“Brian rescued the club years ago and they have financed the club. I know Brian has put a lot of money in, so have others and I think any personal criticism that is aimed at them is harsh.

“They have tried to keep up with this level of football and have the best interests of the club at heart.

“All the club is doing is trying to stay in this league and to do so it costs a lot financially. Things like travelling to away games, overnight stays and paying referees all cost.

“I just think we all really need to pull together. Getting on people’s backs and pointing fingers will not help the cause.”

Barrow are next in action tomorrow night when they play an away game at Luton Town.

If the embargo is not lifted before then, Mr Bayliss may only have 12 players to pick from.

It is understood under such an embargo a club can still sign non-contract players, but cannot bring in anyone on a transfer or loan deal.

Winger Danny Rowe’s contract at the club has now expired, while loan players Joe Jackson and Tom Anderson have returned to parent club Burnley following the end of their spells at Holker Street.

* Barrow AFC today (Monday) released the following club statement:

"Having a player embargo placed on the club is not something that we wanted to happen, nor is it where we want to be.

"But given recent circumstances of cup postponements due to weather and the loss of a home league game to the cup replay followed by no home game until late January the club has a cash flow problem.

"The board can reassure fans that there is no long term financial danger to the club. Obviously money is tight with lower than hoped for league gates of less than a thousand.

"You can rest assured that the situation will be resolved at the earliest opportunity this week."

Have your say

Thats the point dannybafc, People have been getting behind the Club,& as for the board putting Thousands of there own money in the Club, What do you think the Fans & the Town have been doing for so many years? do you think the board have been doing it out of the goodness of there own hearts? Jog on!!

Posted by wally. on
8 January 2013 at 19:25

Barrow afc keep asking thr Town to "get brhind "them.Unfortunately this costs.Barrow AFC when spending money expect to receive a return on their investmant otherwise they make changes. This understandable business accumen extends to the people of Barrow and each time they go through the turn stile they expect a return on their investment. Perhaps Barrow could entice people back by charging Â£5 ticket They would more than double gate receipts plus extra bar revenue etc. Then its down to the players. After recent shows the fans deserve some pay back